What am I missing about curved browbands? They just look like they sag and don’t fit. I don’t see the appeal. Any anatomical benefits? Just wondering.
I don’t like the way they look, either. In addition to looking like they sag and don’t fit, I think they make most horses look like they’re scowling and looking a the ground. But, it seems we are in the minority.
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This thread already exists, though not sure what happened to the original post.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/dressage/10139762-the-droopy-or-v-shaped-browband-trend-flattering-or-not
I think they’re cute.
Other people think they’re cute.
I hate the “v” ones, plenty of people like them.
Everyone’s allowed to have different tastes, it is okay.
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I have both a V browband on one horse’s bridle and a curved browband on another. I think it depends on the horse’s facial structure. My mare looks great in the curved, but funky in the V. It also comes down to personal taste
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It’s simply a matter of taste. I like them a lot on my mare. I prefer straight on my gelding. And a friend has a horse whose white matches up perfectly with his v-shaped browband and it looks perfect, whereas I dislike it on some horses.
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I don’t like curved browbands either. I don’t think there is anything cute about sagging and drooping. But that’s just me.
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I didn’t used to like them, now I really do, and just bought one. Even my own tastes have changed haha I used to like v browbands, but not anymore. No real reason.
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Same. Used to really like the v browbands, but then gradually changed my mind for no real reason.
I always liked the slightly curvy ones, because it was a nice nod to a well-worn bridle, which will be curved overtime if oiled and cared for - just what happens to leather.
I also like it because I have a horse with a Tyra Banks 5-head, and a curved 18 inch brow only just barely fits him. I cannot find a straight oversize that fits him without either going custom, or buying a plain “draft” browband.
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It’s all just a matter of opinion I guess. Either you like them, or you don’t.
Personally, I think it just matters on the head.
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I think it is all about the shape of the head. I think on some horses the curved browband gaps and on others it doesn’t. I have a V browband I sometimes use on my Arabian cross. He needs a cob bridle but has a fairly broad forehead so I need a horse browband. The V looks nice on him. He would probably do well with a curved browband due to the shape of his head. Since he is an arabian cross and not full arabian he has a small head but not super dishy.
Some of the choice for wave, V or curved is probably personal preference and riding backround. I personally do not care for a really fat noseband on most horses. But I come from hunterland so just am not used to the really wide nosebands I sometimes see in dressage especially with the crank nosebands.
With most bridle styles I think the style and color need to complement the horse and not detract. IMO a horse with a petite head is not going to look good with a superbling browband and a big wide super padded noseband. It will overwhelm their face. Conversely an old style WB with a regal oversized head will not look very nice in an old style very thin bridle. The size, shape and colors on a bridle need to be chosen based on conformation of the horses head.
I could see where a V style or wave style browband could be more comfortable for certain horses. The shape of the browband quickly drops down and away from the front of the horses ears. Depending on the shape of the forehead and ears a straight browband may put more pressure across that area but going up a may not solve the problem and just have a weird combination of gaps and pressure points.
Many people do not like the look of Micklems yet some horses really show a preference for them, others not so much.
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I love them all! I’m crazy for bling! Give me more bling in any shape!!
